With less than a fortnight until UK astronaut Tim Peake launches into space, Imperial College London have kicked off celebrations with a festival giving Londoners the chance to journey through the solar system without leaving South Kensington.

Dr Helen Sharman, the first Briton in space, joined Imperial researchers at the Imperial Fringe: 'It Is Rocket Science' exhibition to reflect on the "fantastic" journey ahead of her successor, Tim Peake.